Oktoberfest and Beer Festivals 2026

For lovers of quality beer and authentic European celebrations, autumn 2026 offers a unique opportunity to visit legendary beer festivals from Bavaria to the Czech Republic. The main star of the season is the famous Munich Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival in the world. Complement it with trips to Plzeň, the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell, and discover the true culture of Central European brewing.

With a car, these journeys turn from a logistical challenge into an exciting adventure along the scenic roads of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Oktoberfest 2026 — The Main Event of the Beer Season

Dates: September 19 – October 4, 2026
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany
Distance from Prague: 385 km (4 hours 15 minutes)
Official website: oktoberfest.de

Oktoberfest 2026 will be the 191st festival, continuing a tradition that began in 1810 with the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Today, this grand 16-day celebration attracts more than 7 million visitors from all over the world.

Key Dates and Events of Oktoberfest

Saturday, September 19 — Opening Day:

11:00: Ceremonial parade of beer tent owners and breweries through the center of Munich. Horse-drawn wagons carrying beer barrels, led by the Münchner Kindl mascot, head to Theresienwiese.
12:00 noon: Ceremonial tapping of the first barrel. The Mayor of Munich opens the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent with the shout "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!") — the official start of Oktoberfest.
From 12:00: Beer begins flowing in all 17 large and 21 small beer tents.

Sunday, September 20:

10:00: Grand parade of traditional costumes and marksmen — nearly 10,000 participants in Bavarian national dress, brass bands, and flag bearers march through the city.

Wednesday, September 24:

Traditional religious mass in honor of Oktoberfest.

Sunday, September 27:

11:00: Annual open-air concert of brass bands at the foot of the Bavaria statue. All orchestras from the beer tents gather for a massive joint performance.

Second weekend — Italian Weekend:

Traditionally, thousands of Italian visitors come to the festival, creating a special atmosphere in the Löwenbräu tent.

Sunday, October 4 — Closing Day:

Noon: Cannon salute at the Bavaria statue.
23:30: Official closing of the festival.

Beer Tents: Where to Celebrate

The heart of Oktoberfest is the 17 large beer tents, each with its own unique atmosphere:

Hofbräu-Festhalle — the largest tent with 11,000 seats and a height of 13 meters. Construction takes 3 months, dismantling 2 months. Popular with international visitors.

Schottenhamel — the historic tent where the opening ceremony takes place. This is where the mayor taps the first barrel.

Hacker-Pschorr — a cozy family atmosphere, famous for its yodeler and Bavarian-style decorations.

Augustiner-Bräu — considered the most "authentic" tent among locals. Beer is served from wooden barrels rather than metal kegs.

Käfer's Wiesn-Schänke — an exclusive tent with a premium atmosphere and VIP areas, open until 01:00 (later than others).

Practical Information

Opening hours:

Opening Day (September 19): 12:00 – midnight
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 – 23:30
Friday, Saturday: 10:00 – midnight
Sunday: 10:00 – 23:30 (last Sunday until 23:30)
Beer service stops one hour before closing (22:30 or 23:00).

Prices:

Entrance to Theresienwiese: free
Entrance to beer tents: free (but you must find a seat)
Maß beer (1 liter): €14.50–€15.80 (2026 forecast based on 2025 prices)
Traditional food: €10–€18 (half a chicken, sausages, pretzels)
Table reservation: €25–€40 per person (includes seat + food/drink voucher)

Table reservations: Highly recommended for evenings and weekends. Tables are booked directly through beer tents several months in advance. Without reservation, come at opening (10:00) and be prepared to wait.

Dress code: Traditional Bavarian clothing is welcome — Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women. Can be purchased or rented in Munich. Regular clothing is also acceptable, but traditional outfits enhance the atmosphere.

How to Get from Prague to Munich

By car (recommended):

Route: Prague → D5 toward Plzeň → Czech-German border → A6 (Germany) → A93 → Munich
Distance: 385 km
Driving time: 4 hours 15 minutes (without traffic)
Vignettes: Czech vignette for D5 (€14 for 10 days), German highways are free
Border: Schengen zone — no controls, but carry ID/passport

Parking in Munich during Oktoberfest:

Parking in the city center is difficult and expensive. Recommended:

Park & Ride (P+R): Park on the outskirts (Fröttmaning, Garching-Hochbrück) for €3–5/day and take the U-Bahn to Theresienwiese.
Book in advance: Use services like Parkopedia or Onepark.
Hotel with parking: Stay outside the center with free parking.

Important: Do NOT drink and drive. In Germany the legal limit is 0.5‰ (about 1 beer), but better not risk it. Fines are high and license loss is possible. Plan an overnight stay or use public transport/taxi.

Where to Stay

Munich during Oktoberfest: Book accommodation at least 6 months ahead. Prices increase 2–3x.

Munich city center: Expensive (€150–300/night), but convenient
Near Theresienwiese: Ludwigsvorstadt, Schwanthalerhöhe — walking distance
Suburbs with metro: Giesing, Haidhausen — cheaper, 20–30 min ride
Nearby cities: Freising (30 km), Augsburg (60 km) — cheaper, accessible by car/train

Plzeň — The Birthplace of Pilsner

Distance from Prague: 90 km (1 hour)
Official website: visitplzen.eu

Plzeň, the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic, is world-famous as the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell — the first pale lager in history, created in 1842 by brewer Josef Groll. Today it is the true capital of Czech brewing.

Pilsner Fest 2026

Dates: First weekend of October (October 4–6, 2026 — forecast)
Location: Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square), Plzeň

Pilsner Fest celebrates the anniversary of the first Pilsner Urquell brew (October 5, 1842). The festival takes place in the city’s main historic square, surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

What to expect:

Fresh beer: Unfiltered Pilsner Urquell directly from barrels
Live music: Performances by top Czech bands
Official toast: At 18:42 (symbolic reference to 1842), everyone raises their glass together
Brewery tours: Pilsner Urquell brewery open for visits
Food: Traditional Czech dishes — goulash, sausages, fried cheese

Entry: Free (only food and drinks paid)
Opening hours: 13:00 – 22:00

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Address: U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň
Tours: Daily in English and Czech
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: About 300 CZK (€12)

The tour includes:

Historic brew halls with original 19th-century kettles
Famous underground cellars — 9 km labyrinth at 17 m depth
Tasting of unfiltered Pilsner Urquell straight from barrels
Brewery museum with history of Plzeň brewing

Booking: Highly recommended in advance, especially on weekends and during festivals.

Other Beer Festivals in Plzeň

Pivo Gambrinus Fest (June): One-day festival celebrating the Gambrinus brewery founding.

Microbrewery Festival (September): Over 70 Czech microbreweries at Purkmistr brewery in Černice.

What Else to See in Plzeň

Náměstí Republiky: One of the largest squares in the Czech Republic
Black Tower: 225 steps to panoramic city view
St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral: Highest church tower in Czech Republic (102 m)
Plzeň Underground: 20 km network of medieval cellars
Brewery Museum: 700 years of brewing history

České Budějovice — The Original Budweiser

Distance from Prague: 150 km (1 hour 45 minutes)

The capital of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), is the birthplace of the original Budweiser Budvar.

Beer Events

International Beer Festival (February)

Summer Beer Festival (June)

Budweiser Budvar Brewery

Address: Karolíny Světlé 512/4
Tours: Daily in multiple languages
Price: 250–350 CZK (€10–14)

Combined Routes

Weekend Beer Tour: Prague – Plzeň – Munich

Day 1:

10:00 – Departure from Prague
11:00–14:00 – Plzeň brewery tour + lunch
14:30 – Drive to Munich
18:00 – Arrival & hotel check-in
19:00 – Oktoberfest evening

Conclusion

Autumn 2026 offers a unique chance to experience true European beer culture — from Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest to authentic Czech celebrations.

Prost! Na zdraví! 🍺